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Is a 3 goalie system out of the question?

By Steve Paulus

NEW YORK, NY - MARCH 25: Henrik Lundqvist #30 and Alexandar Georgiev #40 of the New York Rangers head off the ice after the third period against the Pittsburgh Penguins at Madison Square Garden on March 25, 2019 in New York City. The Pittsburgh Penguins won 5-2. (Photo by Jared Silber/NHLI via Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NY - MARCH 25: Henrik Lundqvist #30 and Alexandar Georgiev #40 of the New York Rangers head off the ice after the third period against the Pittsburgh Penguins at Madison Square Garden on March 25, 2019 in New York City. The Pittsburgh Penguins won 5-2. (Photo by Jared Silber/NHLI via Getty Images) /
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Alexandar Georgiev & Henrik Lundqvist
Alexandar Georgiev & Henrik Lundqvist /

The imminent problem in goal for the New York Rangers has been well documented, but would it be possible to solve it by going with three netminders?

Teams try to stay away from a three goalie system and there have been few instances where it has been successful, but if you examine the New York Rangers immediate problem, it may work.

The immediate problem is that Henrik Lundqvist has one more year on his contract after this season, a contract that pays him $8.5 million.  Meanwhile, Alexandar Georgiev is on the verge of taking over as the team’s number one netminder and has been playing superbly.  Finally, Igor Shesterkin is the best goaltender in the American Hockey League and seems to be ready for the NHL.  Keep in mind that Shesterkin has a European Assignment Clause and his Entry Level Contract expires after next season.

The one issue that is of no consequence is the Seattle expansion draft.  Shesterkin is exempt and Lundqvist will be a free agent so they would only need to protect Georgiev.

Let’s look at the options, pro and con.

Positives

Pro # 1

It sure looks like the Rangers have two young stud goaltenders in Alexandar Georgiev and Igor Shesterkin.  They also have 37-year old Henrik Lundqvist under contract  for one more year after this one.  That’s precisely why this could work, they would only have to do it for one year.  A single year with a three goalie system and then the team could move forward with a tandem that would arguably be one of the best in the NHL.

Pro # 2

While it looks like both Shesterkin and Georgiev are stud goaltenders, Georgiev has played all of 58 games in the NHL and Shesterkin hasn’t played in one yet.   Can anyone honestly say that Shesterkin is going to be a better goalie than Georgiev in the long run?  If the trade scenarios are to be believed, the Rangers will have to gamble on one of these two young men in order to keep the two goalie system intact next season.  Keep three goalies and a trade isn’t necessary.

Pro # 3

In an 82 game season, would it be so bad to give a 38-year old Henrik Lundqvist twenty starts leaving 62 games for the Georgiev-Shesterkin tandem?  Lundqvist has shown that he can excel with a lighter workload. It would give him a decent number of starts in what would be his last season in New York.  After the 2020-21 season he would have to decide if he wants to play elsewhere since his future in New York would be non-existent.

Pro # 4

A three goalie system would give Lundqvist the chance to mentor and work with both Georgiev and Shesterkin and they would have a chance to learn from him.  Exposing the two young goalies to his work ethic and dedication would be a good thing for their development.

Pro # 5

Protection against injury is important.  If any one of the three netminders goes down with an injury, they would have depth in goal that would compete with any team in the NHL.

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